10 of the Best and Worst Cereals

At some point, you've probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While some people question this recommendation, others have quick and healthy breakfast favorites they regularly include at the beginning of their day, whether it's a warm bowl of oatmeal in winter or refreshing summer choices like fruit smoothies, yogurt or cold cereal.

According to Cereal F.A.C.T.S. (Food Advertising to Children and Teens Score), cereal companies annually spend millions of marketing dollars targeting children. They estimate that every year, the average preschooler will see over 600 cereal ads with colorful character mascots. Unfortunately, many of the cereals with the lowest Nutrition Profiling Index (NPI) scores have the highest marketing rate.

Remember the "Rule of Fives": Do your best to choose cereals with at least five grams of fiber and less than five grams of sugar per serving.

Look for each serving to contain at least three grams of protein.

Read the ingredients list. The top ingredients should be whole wheat or wheat bran—not just wheat. These whole grains are naturally low in fat and high in fiber.

Avoid cereals that list hydrogenated oils, chemical preservatives and artificial dyes or colors as ingredients—these have no place in a healthy diet!

10 of the Healthiest Cold Cereals to Keep in Your Pantry

Kashi Pilaf Original: With 44 grams of whole grains in each serving, this versatile pilaf is a nutritious foundation for any meal, from breakfast to afternoon snack.170 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of sugar, 6 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, 0 milligrams of sodium

Grape-Nuts: This 100 percent whole-grain cereal is delicious alone, with yogurt or sprinkled with berries for natural sweetness. The high fiber content will keep you feeling full until lunchtime.210 calories, 1 gram of fat, 5 grams of sugar, 6 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber, 270 milligrams of sodium

Nutritious Living Hi Lo 100% Natural Cereal - Original: Fuel up for the day with this all-natural cereal that's packed with protein and fiber, but extremely low in sugar and fat.90 calories, 1 gram of fat, 3 grams of sugar, 12 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, 95 milligrams of sodium

General Mills Wheat Chex: Made from 100 percent whole grain, this diet-friendly cereal is also a good source of iron and calcium.160 calories, 1 gram of fat, 5 grams of sugar, 5 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, 270 milligrams of sodium

Mom's Best Toasted Wheat-Fuls: All shredded wheat, all day long. Plus, it has less than one and a half teaspoons of sugar and is a good source of iron.200 calories, 1 gram of fat, 0 grams of sugar, 6 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber, 10 milligrams of sodium

Kay's Naturals Protein Cereal - Honey Almond: Although one gram shy of the "five fiber" rule, it's packed with protein and low in sugar, making it a great way to power up for the day.120 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of sugar, 12 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, 160 milligrams of sodium

10 Unhealthy Cereals to Avoid

General Mills Reese's Puffs: The name alone should clue you in on the lack of health benefits in this candy-inspired "cereal," which is packed with artificial colors and flavors.120 calories, 3 grams of fat, 9 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, 1 gram of fiber, 160 milligrams of sodium

Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch's OOPS! All Berries: They may have berries in the name, but more than 42 percent of this cereal's calories come from added sugars.130 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 14 grams of sugar, 1 gram of protein, <1 gram of fiber, 200 milligrams of sodium

General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch: Don't be fooled by the whole-grain wheat and boasts of vitamins and minerals--this kid favorite has nine grams of sugar and also contains the controversial preservative BHT.130 calories, 3 grams of fat, 9 grams of sugar, 1 gram of protein, 0 grams of fiber, 180 milligrams of sodium

Kellogg's Corn Pops: The name might sound healthy enough, but this lightly sweetened cereal contains no fiber at all and barely any protein.120 calories, 0 grams of fat, 9 grams of sugar, 1 gram of protein, <1 gram of fiber, 105 milligrams of sodium

Kellogg's Smorz: As you would expect, this is more of a dessert than a cereal. It's comprised of more than 43 percent sugar and little to no fiber or protein.120 calories, 2 grams of fat, 13 grams of sugar, 1 gram of protein, <1 gram of fiber, 135 milligrams of sodium

General Mills Cocoa Puffs: With sugar comprising 40 percent of its calories, it shouldn't be a surprise that this chocolatey cereal earns a spot on the "worst" list. 100 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 9 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, 1 gram of fiber, 100 milligrams of sodium

Kellogg's Froot Loops: Despite the name, this sugar-packed cereal offers none of the health benefits of actual fruit. It gets 44 percent of its calories from sugar, and has little to no fiber or protein.110 calories, 1 gram of fat, 10 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, 150 milligrams of sodium

Kellogg's Apple Jacks: Like their Froot Loops cousin, Apple Jacks have little to no nutritional value, and also get 44 percent of their calories from added sugar. Other red flags include artificial colors, flavors, BHT and hydrogenated oils.110 calories, 1 gram of fat, 10 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, 150 milligrams of sodium

Kellogg's Honey Smacks: With a whopping 20 grams of sugar per serving, this sinful cereal is more than half sugar, and also contains hydrogenated oils and BHT.110 calories, <1 gram of fat, 16 grams of sugar, 1 gram of protein, 1 gram of fiber, 40 milligrams of sodium

Do you regularly eat cereal for breakfast or as an evening snack? What are your favorite healthy cereal choices?

on my dieticians's advice...its Bran Buds all the way and not just sprinkled over my oatmeal but as a garnish with Greek Yogurt as an evening snack but wonderful as this is , I still measure out a proper serving. Report

on my dieticians's advice...its Bran Buds all the way and not just sprinkled over my oatmeal but as a garnish with Greek Yogurt as an evening snack but wonderful as this is , I still measure out a proper serving. Report

on my dieticians's advice...its Bran Buds all the way and not just sprinkled over my oatmeal but as a garnish with Greek Yogurt as an evening snack but wonderful as this is , I still measure out a proper serving. Report

AERO_NERDETTE

I'm transitioning to a diet that is as gluten-free as possible (not celiac, but I am sensitive and notice a definite difference eating wheat vs. not). My staple breakfast is a hot cereal: Plain Arrowhead Mills oat-quinoa instant hot cereal with a tbsp of mixed chia and flax seeds, and a tsp each of coconut oil and raw honey.

This combo gets me through the morning at work every day. I think I'll stick with it!
Report

SARACINDY

My gastroenterologist told me to eat either Fiber One or Kashi Original. That isn't even on your list but it is loaded with fiber.
Report

well not many choices for the diabetic maybe the shredded wheat in my case since it has no salt. I think I will stick with my oatmeal, occasional shredded wheat, Not too sure about fiber one salt may be in it too! Why in the world are companies placing so MUCH salt in our food? One claim it they said that there cereal are healthy. NOT. But from what I have seem they are not. They are pushing these very cereals at our kids. WOW what an eye opener!!!!!!!
Report

Mmmmm...GMOs. (Not really. That was sarcasm.) I wouldn't eat any of those cereals if you paid me. I wish the folks at Spark People would stop pushing the genetically engineered foods. Include some of the popular organic foods in these lists. They aren't a hard to find as they used to be!
Report

JUSTJENNN

Haha!!! I eat at least 5 out of the 10 best....by hubby eats ALL on the worst list, lol
Report

The only one on the top 10 I like is the cherrios. In my opinion shreaded wheat looks, feels and tastes like it is food for horses. I mean it even looks like tiny hay bales. I prefer oatmeal with apples chunks, raisins, dates, strawberries, or blueberries, and a little almond milk. Or granoly, fruit and yogart. maybe some nuts. And I sometimes eat a poached egg and a slice of bacon, a biscuit, and orange juice. Personally I don't like the Idea of chemicals in my food, or genetically modified food. I would prefer it as natural to the way God intended it to be as possible. I really think that is the healthiest.
Report

Oatmeal is the best as far as I am concerned, and I put a few raisins in mine and some fat free organic milk .. great .. for sure... the raisins give the oatmeal just a small enough amount that it doesn't spike ones sugar but still helps to create a sweet treat in the cereal.. ;)
Report

I am very surprised that these "cereals" above come on your recommended list! First of all, wheat has a tendency to make us gain weight and I refrain from eating it. Second, all of those cereals need to be "fortified" with vitamins and minerals that are man made. My Mom always said that the cardboard box had more nutrition in it than those junk food cereals! Third, I do not support companies that use GMO products so that means I tend to shop around the outer parts of the grocery store where the raw fruits and veggies are and I refrain from going down the isles where the canned foods and junk food cereals are. Lastly, I want to see some articles from you reflecting better nutrition. That is the reason I am here! Thank you!
Report

Ma-Two-Five. I too grew up on a farm and my dad refused to use any kind of seed that contained GMO's. I have no qualms about taking apple 1 and crossing it with apple 2 to make a new apple 3. What I object to is the fact they are using chemicals to make them resistant to insects. I have seen first hand what can happen and I think everyone else has too. What do you think has happened to our bee population? I still garden today and I refuse to use any kind of modified seed. I still use what I call heritage seed that has come down from my family since my great-grandfather. When I do buy seed, I buy from Richter's here in Canada, GMO free. Our air is polluted, our rivers and lakes also. I try as hard as I can to keep it out of my food. Anyway you look at it Monsanto has to be shut down or at least have labeling so we can make choices. Why do you think Monsanto is fighting labeling? They have been banned from many countries now, including the countries they were meant to help. Here in North America big business runs our country, not people.
Report

I make every effort to a healthy, planned breakfast every morning. For this past week, my breakfast has been oatmeal with soy milk, flax seed and frozen fruit. When I want more protein, I will mix 2 egg whites. For cereal, I prefer cheerios.
Report

HOLLYSNOWWOMAN

I mix my cereals all in one bowl but I always have cherrios and fiber one. I don't eat cereal everyday and sometimes have it for my evening snack-I like it much better at that time. Cereal is not just for breakfast anymore.
Report

I've always eaten high fiber high protein cereals (with little or or no added sugar, and no faux sweeteners) and I think that they are delicious, but maybe that is just because it is what I am used to. My husband eats the sugary stuff and refuses to even taste the healthier stuff. Fruit Loops are his favorite.
Report

CHIHUAHUAMOM2

I eat just plain Special K....but I think I will be changing to a fiber rich cereal. My husband loves Corn Pops...he will be crushed!
Report

Steel cut oats are the best! But they do take about a half hour to cook. To cut that time down to about 10 minutes. Stir the oats into very hot water the night before you go to bed. Stir it and put the lid on. The next morning, turn on the heat, stir and cook, stirring often.
Report

For the celiacs in our midst... this wasn't the most helpful article . But maybe it helped someone else. Report

JULES3819

Time to pull out the steel cut oatmeal again. I'll have to take the time to cook it. I now have Agave syrup and blueberries to add and I think I have a banana and pineapple too!
Report

HABUSTEVE

These supposedly whole grain cereals are so processed that they do not contain any natural nutritional benefits at all.The vitamins,fiber and any other possible substance of value is added artificially.
Report

HERROYALHINEY

I've been wheat (gluten) free for 3 months now. I haven't changed the rest of my diet. I weighed 240.5, 3 month ago, and weigh 225.4 today. Apparently wheat which is in about 80% of foods, has been GM 100 times and stores in the body as fat that the body can't use. It also affects other organs. I feel full eating rice pasta, corn bread, potato bread crumbs, quinoa cereals like MESA, etc. I've been drinking soy milk for 12 years and only had 2 colds in that time. I used to eat oats but not any more. I've eaten all of the above wheat cereals but they don't apply anymore to me. We still have nutritionists pushing milk and dairy products. BTW, I'm trying to get my 16-pound house cat on gluten-free as well and am searching for foods for him.
Report

I agree that the 10 healthiest cereals are some of the most tasteless choices. Also keep in mind that carbs convert to sugar, but the total fiber count helps reduce the net carbs and brings it down. Also eating a cereal that has 50 grams of fiber is major overkill on your system. Most bodies are not meant to handle so much at one time. I personally like to use good ole fashioned oatmeal and add the fresh or thawed berries, along with nuts, flax meal and sometimes throw in some protein powder. That really helps me last longer since I have a very physical job and burn it up quickly. Also I say go ahead and splurg on some fruit loops once in awhile.(not for breakfast) Every thing in moderation :)
Report

SparkPeople, SparkCoach, SparkPages, SparkPoints, SparkDiet, SparkAmerica, SparkRecipes, DailySpark, and other marks are trademarks of SparkPeople, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this website can be used without the permission of SparkPeople or its authorized affiliates.
SPARKPEOPLE is a registered trademark of SparkPeople, Inc. in the United States, European Union, Canada, and Australia. All rights reserved.

NOTE: Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy last updated on October 25, 2013